The Sinawik Cabin was built in Joaquin Miller Park for the Girl Scouts in 1949 by the Kiwanis Club (Sinawik is Kiwanis spelled backwards.) Over the years, the cabin fell into disrepair, and it burned to the ground in 2013.
Planning for a cabin began as early as 1943, when a small group felt that the Girl Scouts needed a camp, "near the city, but secluded." Once a site had been found, they needed money to build and maintain it. The Grand Lake Kiwanis Club joined the efforts and helped raise the money, and donated thousands of hours of labor. The cabin was designed by a Girl Scout father who was an architect, and donated his time. Ground was broken in August 1949, the cornerstone laid in September, and the cabin dedicated in November. 1
A group from the de Fremery Recreation Center in West Oakland managed the cabin as recently as 1983. Since then, it fell into disrepair and became the target of trespassers and vandalism. In the winter of 2010–2011, a second-story balcony fell onto a nearby path. In 2011, the Friends of Joaquin Miller Park suggested it be torn down and the lumber reclaimed for re-use. On July 4, 2013, it burned to the ground, possibly the victim of illegal fireworks. The foundation still stands, and is helping stabilize the hillside. 2
cabin in 2009
photo CC-A by Nathan Jongewaard
foundation of cabin, March 2014
photo CC SA-BY Our Oakland
Links and References
- Years of Planning and Toil Went Into Sinawik Cabin Oakland Tribune September 7, 1957
- Old Girl Scout cabin burned to ground July 4 Oakland Tribune July 10, 2013
